October 23, 2021 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V833000
Loss of braking ability increases the risk of a crash.
NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V833
Manufacturer Ferrari North America, Inc.
Components SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Potential Number of Units Affected 9,985
Summary
Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2010-2015 458 Italia, 2012-2015 458 Spider, 2014-2015 458 Speciale, 2015 458 Speciale Aperta, 2016-2019 488 GTB, and 488 Spider vehicles. The brake system may leak brake fluid, resulting in a loss of braking ability.
Remedy
No remedy has been established at this time. Owners notification letters are expected to be mailed December 21, 2021. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-201-816-2668. Ferrari’s number for this recall is 78.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Check if your Ferrari has a Recall
November 1, 2021
Dear Ferrari Dealer:
We would like to inform you that Ferrari is currently investigating a brake issue occurring in certain Model(s), from the years MY 2010 – 2015 for 458 and MY 2016 – 2019 for 488 vehicles. The vehicles involved are equipped with a braking system with a potential brake fluid leak. This not only can lead to a total loss of braking capability, but also result in an accident.
Ferrari is conducting further research to determine the root of this cause and possible scope of this problem. We will contact you as soon as we have further instructions. In the meantime, we are contacting any possible affected clients and informing them that if a message appears on their dashboard that reads the following, “Brake fluid level low, Go to dealer slowly”, to please pull off the road as soon as it is safe to do so. We have also advised them to contact Ferrari Roadside Assistance at
1.866.788.6760, and have their car towed to the nearest authorized Ferrari dealer.
Please feel free to contact your Area Business Manager with any questions, or myself at any time.
Thank you for your time on this serious matter.
Sincerely,
Enzo Francesconi
Vice President Aftersales and IT
Chronology of Defect
Ferrari was made aware of an issue involving a potential braking issue in March 2021 in connection with a MY 2018 Ferrari 488 GTB that had experienced a brake failure in the US. A vehicle technical and insurance subrogation inspection on such car took place in May 2021. The result of the inspection showed that the master cylinder failed causing the loss of brakes. It was not possible to determine the cause of the failure. Ferrari performed certain preliminary verifications on brake booster components without finding the root cause of the failure. Given that such brake components are assemblies entirely manufactured by Bosch, in June 2021, Ferrari requested Bosch to have such components inspected. Bosch inspected one of the assembly and was not able to identify the root cause of the failure. In September 2021, Ferrari was made aware about two 488s that experienced brake failure in the US. Ferrari began performing service history reviews of both of these vehicles. In September 2021, Ferrari requested again Bosch to inspect another assembly. Also for such assembly, Bosch was not able to ascertain the root cause of the relevant failure. In early October 2021, Ferrari was contacted by NHTSA concerning two Vehicle Owner Questionnaires involving 3 VINs, i.e. VIN 232813, VIN 232226 and VIN 234234. Ferrari investigated VIN 234234 and found that the vehicle was repaired under warranty at a dealer. Ferrari obtained the master cylinder/brake booster assembly from the dealer and inspections by the supplier are expected to be carried out also on this component. Additionally, Ferrari sent over to Bosch the assembly of VIN 232226 for its analysis. In October 2021, Ferrari informed Bosch about the inquiry submitted to Ferrari by NHTSA, since Bosch is the owner of all technical information, design and drawings of the brake booster components. Ferrari, in particular, requested Bosch assistance in: (i) providing any documents/information about this component, (ii) continuing to investigate the root cause of the issue as quickly as possible. In October 2021, Ferrari participated in a vehicle inspection of VIN 232226 noticed by State Farm Insurance. At the inspection, it was observed that the brake fluid had leaked into the brake booster chamber. Ferrari has been able to have a representative from Bosch to participate at the inspection. Also a representative from NHTSA was present at this inspection. Although Ferrari and Bosch continue to investigate the issue, including the scope of the affected vehicle population and the root cause behind a potential brake fluid leakage, Ferrari decided to conduct a safety recall to address this issue on October 20th, 2021. Verification of the number of warranty claims is still being researched. Ferrari has had no reports of injuries or deaths as a consequence of this issue.
21 Affected Products
Vehicles
MAKE | MODEL | YEAR |
FERRARI | 458 ITALIA | 2010-2015 |
FERRARI | 458 SPECIALE | 2014-2015 |
FERRARI | 458 SPECIALE A | 2015 |
FERRARI | 458 SPIDER | 2012-2015 |
FERRARI | 488 GTB | 2016-2019 |
FERRARI | 488 SPIDER | 2016-2019 |
8 Associated Documents
Recall 573 Report
RCLRPT-21V833-4048.PDF 215.831KB
Recall Acknowledgement
RCAK-21V833-9373.pdf 703.057KB
Recall 573 Report
RCLRPT-21V833-5793.PDF 215.831KB
Recall 573 Report – Amendment 2
RCLRPT-21V833-8072.PDF 215.711KB
Defect Notice 573 Report
RCLRPT-21V833-9965.PDF 215.302KB
Chronology
RMISC-21V833-4408.pdf 72.476KB
Recall 573 Report
RCLRPT-21V833-6636.PDF 215.711KB
Miscellaneous Document – Informal Notification to Owners.
RMISC-21V833-1604.pdf 264.801KB
Latest Recalls Documents
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=21V833&docType=RCL
- Provides an extra margin of safety in extreme braking conditions
- Mix of polyglycol ethers ensures hot brake-system operation will not create dangerous vapor
- Excellent for ABS, disc and drum brake systems
- Delivers braking power when needed by avoiding a spongy pedal
- Both wet and dry boiling points exceed the minimum government standards
- High compatibility. Use with or direct replacement for DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5. 1
- Extended Service Interval (ESI): Lasts 100% longer than DOT 3, 50% longer than DOT 4, and 10% longer than DOT 5. 1
- Exceeds all DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5. 1 standards
- Wet boiling point ~ 365 DegreeF/Viscosity at -40 DegreeC ~ 685mm2/s
- Standard brake fluid has a recommended change interval of 2 years. The recommended change interval for Bosch ESI6 is 3 years.
- Recommended for all ABS, disc and drum brake systems as well as hydraulic clutches requiring DOT 3 and DOT 4 fluids
- Provides corrosion protection for all metals within the braking system
- Compatible with all conventional brake fluids
- Substantially reduces the possibility of fluid vaporization and eventual brake failure
- Excellent performance in high-temperature braking systems
- Synthetic quality brake fluid
- Contains special ingredients to guard against vapor lock and moisture absorption
- Exceeds requirements for both DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluids
- Specially formulated for DOT 4 brake fluid applications
- Designed for use in disc, drum and ABS brake systems
- Provides an extra margin of safety in extreme braking conditions
- Mix of polyglycol ethers ensures hot brake-system operation will not create dangerous vapor
- Excellent for ABS, disc and drum brake systems
- Delivers braking power when needed by avoiding a spongy pedal
- Both wet and dry boiling points exceed the minimum government standards
- PERFORMANCE – The 336⁰ F wet boil point and 521⁰ F dry boil point exceeds common characteristics for DOT 4 brake fluids
- Premium Brake and Hydraulic clutch fluid that protects internal components from corrosion under normal use
- High boiling point to minimize Brake fluid boiling and vapor lock
- Excellent low temperature capability and stability when used where lower cold viscosities are required
- An exclusive European formula with an exceptionally high boiling point and superior anti-vapor lock characteristics
- Superior braking during arduous conditions like racing and rallying
- Typical wet boiling point is 270deg. C
- Typical dry boiling point is 310deg. C
- Exceeds DOT3 and DOT4 specifications
Last update on 2022-07-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This product was presentation was made with AAWP plugin.